Discharge means for particulate matter dispenser

ABSTRACT

A resiliently flexible outlet closure is molded to a container lid. The closure is hingedly connected at its edge and resiliently biased to seat in and block an outlet opening in the lid. A rotatably mounted crank member extends through the lid edges and carries a butterfly member which is rotatable into engagement with the closure by means of the crank member. Rotation of the crank member engages the butterfly member with the closure to push the closure open and permit discharge of particulate matter. Further rotation of the crank member releases the closure and sweeps the particulate matter away from the outlet opening to permit the closure to return to its closed position.

DISCHARGE MEANS FOR PARTICULATE MATTER DISPENSER [451 Sept. 26, 1972 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-James M. Slattery [72] Inventor: William Henry Willeke, 822

Franklin Ave., Lancaster, Ohio Atmmey jerome CQX 43130 ABSTRACT 57 [22] Filed: June 11,1971

' A resiliently flexible outlet closure is molded to a con- [211 Appl' 152331 tainer lid. The closure is hingedly connected at its edge and resiliently biased to seat in and block an out- [52] US. Cl. ..222/2l3, 222/490, 222/528 lct opening in the lid. A rotatably mounted crank [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 37/00 member extends through the lid edges and carries a 1 Field of Search...222/4l0, 142-7, 5 0, l, buttcrfly'member which is rotatable into engagement 222/490, 536, 537, 507, 310,.3i 1,406, 5 with the closure by means of the crank member. Rota- 203, 531, tion of the crank member engages the butterfly 532, 242, 248, 440, 450, 556,518, 549, 206, member with the closure to push the closure open and 212, 213, 527, 528, 53 permit discharge of particulate matter. Further rota- 56 tion of the crank member releases the closure and I 1 References C'ted sweeps-the particulate matter away from the outlet UNITED STATES PATENTS opening to permit the closure to return to its closed osition. 2,135,999 11/1938 Booger ..222/242 X p 2,740,562 4/1956 Bello ..222/410 12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures r A t- PATENTEDSEPZB I912 3.693; 844

I6 56 so H65 FIG. 6

INVENTOR. I WILLAM HENRY W4|LLEKE FIG. 3 BY ATTORNEY This invention relates" generally to the field ofdisptansin'g and" more particularly relates to an improved discharge means for controllably dispensing particulate'matter'.

a Great numbers" of dispensers and" discharge means" have previously been suggested for dispensing many typesof materials. The'di'spensing of particulate matter causes unusual problems because particulate matter has propertiess'imilarto those of both solidsand fluids.

Particulate matter is capable of flowing like a-'- fluid through relatively small openings. However, it is also capable of binding together to prevent its passage through an; opening and to resist the motionof the mechanical parts of aidischarge means. Some prior art dispensingmeans such asthose shown in US. Pat. Nos. 763,750 and 2,135,999 have a plurality of dispenser openings and provide acrank mounted apaddleior butterfly arranged to'sweep across said openings; Other types of dispensers offer movable t'raps'which moveto a'first position to receive particulate'matte'r and then move to a'second position to discharge the measured particulate matter from the trap. Still other discharge means, such as those shown inULS. Pat. Nos. 3,089,620 and 3,157,322, utilize a hinged closure which is actuated by an external lever connected to the closure to open and close the outlet in the dispenser.

In constructing a suitable particulate v matter discharge means, compromises must usually be made between the many characteristics which are sought in a discharge means. For example, it is desirable that a discharge means be simple and inexpensive to manufacture, maintain and use. It is also" desirable that the portion for rotation about" an axis transverse to the discharge flow-path. Aflap meansis fixedto and extends generally radially from thecrank member. The flap means is fixed in a'suitable position and has a sufficient-length to be rotatable by the crank into engage- I ment=with the outlet closure and to displace the outlet operator be able to control accurately the quantity of material discharged and that the discharge means provide a tight, protective seal when not discharging particulate matter. It is further desirable that a discharge means be inexpensive and yet have a long and reliable life.

However, discharge ineans meeting the above operating standards usually are expensive and complex mechanisms. There is therefore a need for an improved discharge means offering the above operating features and advantages and yet sufficiently inexpensive and simple that it may be included, if desired, with the container in which the particulate matter is sold without adding substantially to the sale price of the particulate means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is an improved discharge means for use in a particulate matter dispenser of the type having a container and-having a discharge means through a wall of the container. The improved discharge means includes the portion of the container wall which is provided with an outlet opening therethrough. An outlet closure'is mounted to (e.g., secured to or made integral with) the wall portion for'reciprocation along a path in the general direction of the'discharge flow path. The outlet closure is resiliently biased to a position blocking the outlet opening. A discharge assistant or operating member cooperates with the outlet closure and comprises a crank member rotatably mounted to the wall closure away from its blocking position. Particulate matter may then (while the closure is away from its blocking position) flow from the interior of the con? tainerthrough theiopening.

It is therefore anobject of the invention toprove an improveddischarge means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a discharge means having improved reliability and controllability andreduced cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a discharge means which maybe incorporated in the lid of acontainer.

Another object ofithe invention is to provide a discharge means which gives improved sealing of the contents of a containerand which has means for assisting the flow of the particulate matter for preventing blockage of the discharge opening. 7

A further object of the" invention is to provide a discharge means which can be incorporated in the lid ofa container in which particulate matter is sold and which has adetachable crank which can be removably secured within the lid and can, after the opening of the container, be removed and then mounted by the consumer for operation of the discharge means.

Further objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

With these and other ends in view which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of the invention, it being understood, however, that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the claims may be resorted to when desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the interior of a lid having a discharge means constructed according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the lid of FIG. 1 in elevation and in quarter section taken substantially along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating further the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the exterior of thelid illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the crank portion of the preferred embodiment of the operating means shown removed from the structure illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation of the crank member illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation of a lid (forming the embodiment illustrated in FIG. I) mounted to the body of a particulate matter container.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific tenn includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION from its blocking position and thereby permit particulate matter to flow through the opening 18. The preferred flap means 40 which is illustrated is a butterfly member mounted to the axle 30 and extending generally radially in opposite directions.

The crank 32 of the crank member 28 extends through a hole 42 in the peripheral flange 16. The crank is therefore accessible on the exterior of the container'for the manual dispensing operation.

Preferably, the crank 32 is removably attached to the axle 30 of the crank member 28. Such connection may be made by means of a gripping collar 46 or, for example, by means of mating male and female connectors. A storage mounting bracket 48 is advantageously molded into the interior wall of the lid 12. The preferred storage mounting bracket 48 is a resilient body having a slot for frictionally eng'aging'and detachably retaining The planar main portion 14 operates as a portion of the t container wall. It is provided with an outlet opening 18 over which an outlet closure seats. The outlet closure 20 is in this instance molded as a unitary part of the lid 12 and in FIGS. 1 through 3 is shown blocking the opening 18. Preferably, the closure 20 (shown in FIG. 2) is provided with inwardly tapered edges 19 which matingly and sealingly engage the outwardly tapered seatsof edges of the opening 18. The resiliency of the flexible lid material, which is preferably a polyprolynene synthetic, serves to'resiliently bias the closure 20 to close the opening 18 and to hold it in its blocking position. The biasing force, however, is improved by means of a rib 24 which is molded onto the exterior of the outlet closure 20. The rib extends across the hinged edge (indicated approximately as at 26 in FIG. 3) of the opening and onto the planar wall portion 14. The outlet closure 20 is, in effect, hingedly mounted to the planar main portion 14 at the area 26 for reciprocation, more especially at its opposite end, along a path in the general direction of the discharge flow path.

A discharge assistant or closure operator is mounted in the interior of the lid for cooperating with the closure 20. The discharge assistant operates to open the closure 20 and includes a crank member 28 having an axle and a crank 32.

The axle 30 (see FIG. 1) is rotatably mounted in a pair of bearings 34 and 36 which are molded onto the lid 12 as a unitary part there of. The bearings 34 and 36 are positioned on opposite sides of the opening 18 for rotatably receiving the crank axle 30. In the preferred embodiment, the bearings 34 and 36 are positioned to align the crank member 28 generally parallel to the pseudo axis of rotation 29 of the closure 20.

Various bearing structures could be utilized in the invention. However, in order to facilitate assembly of the crank axle 30 into thei bearings 34 and 35, the bearings are provided with'collinea'r, longitudinal, radial slots 35 and'37 having resiliently separable walls. The axle 30 may therefore be inserted radially into the-bearings 34 and 36.

A flap means 40 is fixed to and extends generally radially'from the axle 30 of the crank member 28. It is fixed in a suitable position opposite the closure 20 and has a sufficient length to be rotatable by the crank 28 into engagement with the interior side of the outlet closure 20. Rotation of the crank member 28 will cause the flap means 40 to push the outlet closure 20 away the crank 32 before it is attached to the axle portion 30. Thus, the lid assembly 12 may be sold with the crank portion 32 in the-position 32a illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1.

I The peripheral annular flange 16 hasformed therein a connector portion 50 to permit the lid to be removably mounted on the container body 10. The connector portion 50 is an annular resilient inwardly extending rounded bead or ridge which fits into a corresponding depression adjacent the top of the container 10 to resiliently hold the lid onto the container. The lid may thus be snapped on or off of the container as desired. Alternatively, the top of the container and the interior of thelid may be formed with corresponding threads so that the lid may be screwed on and off of the container. Other means for removably securing the lid to the container may be used-as desired. The annular flange 16 also has an. inwardly extending shoulder 52 formed intermediate its edges 54 and 56. This shoulder 52 seats against the lip of the container body 10 to space the main wall 14 of the lid from the mouth .of the container body 10. The hole 42 is molded in the flange between the shoulder 52 and themain lid wall 14 for receiving the removable crank 32. Preferably a thin membrane is molded across the hole 42 to form a destructible wall. When the lid is sold with a particulate matter container and when the removable crank is in the position 32a, this destructible wall assures sealing of the lid and therefore assures a long shelf life for the particulate matter contents. The. thin membrane is destroyed by insertion of the removable crank member 32 through the hole 42. The annular, inwardly extending shoulder 52 spaces the main wall portion 14 of the lid from the lip of the jar to permit the crank member 28 when assembled to extend through the peripheral flanged 16. The shoulder 52 by spacing the discharge means mechanism from the mouth of the container body permits a seal, such as the conventional paper seal, to be adhered on the lip of the container body 10 without being susceptible to interference or destruction l Many modifications could of course be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the crank could be a single piece with the crank portion 32 not being separable from axle 30. The crank bearings could be in the peripheral flange 16. The connector portion 50 instead of an annular head could, as stated above, be threaded to threadedly engage a container body. In the illustrated sheet of drawings, the container is shown as cylindrical and the adaptor portion is shown as round. The invention is applicable to dispense many other commodities or materials than those previously mentioned. The container may be square, rectangular, or apy other shape to adapt the dispenser to other materia s. I

The invention can be used with other packages than cans or jars such as cans and jars for coffee, tea, etc. For example, it is applicable to cereal boxes. in such cases, the outlet opening can be in either an end or side and the crank may be secured to the outside of the package.

The'flap means 40, instead of the butterfly illustrated, could be a rod or finger extending in one or both directions from the crank axle 30.

The operation of the invention is preceded by the molding of the parts and their assembly. Thereafter, the removable crank portion 32 is inserted in the mounting bracket 48. Thecrank axle 30 with its attached butterfly member 40-is snapped into the bearings 34 and 36 be being forced downwardly on the underside of these hearings through the slots 35 and 37. The assembled lid may then be mounted on the container body after a suitable paper seal has been adhered to the lid of the container body 10. Of course, the assembled lid could be sold separately if desired.

A consumer, after purchasing the entire unit, removes the lid 12 from the container body 10 by grasping under the peripheral flange 16 and snapping (i.e., pulling) the lid away from the container body 10 or by unscrewing the lid from the container 10. The paper seal may then be torn or cut away. The crank portion 32 is withdrawn and inserted through the hole 42 and into the collar 46. This completes the cranks connection with the axle 30. The lid and its assembly is then snapped or screwed (i.e., remounted) on the container body 10.

If the container contains instant coffee, for example, an operator may grip the container with one hand and grip the crank portion 32 with the fingers of the other hand. The unit is then inverted and positioned over appropriate cup and the crank portion 32 is rotated. Rotation of the crank 32 through 180 of rotation will cause the closure 20 to open one time, allowing discharge of particulate matter, and then reclose. Each additional 180 of rotation causes a similar opening of the closure 20, the discharge of an additional quantity of particulate matter, and subsequent closing of the closure 20. The operator selects the quantity of coffee desired by rotating the crank member 32 through a selected number of 180 turns.

The rotation of the butterfly member 40 serves several functions. First, it operates the closure 20 to push it to its opened position and then to release the closure to permit it to close. The butterfly member 40 also agitates the particulate matter to insure that it will not block the opening and will be free flowing through the opening 18. Additionally, the butterfly member 40 serves to push particulate matter away from the opening 18 to prevent the particulate matter from blocking the return of the closure 20 to its sealing position.

The quantity of particulate matter dispensed with each rotation of the crank portion 32 may be chosen by properly designing the size of the opening 18 and the butterfly member 40. For example, the larger the opening 18, the greater the quantity of particulate matter dispensed with each 180 rotation. Additionally, the longer the butterfly member is in he radial direction from its axis of rotation to its extreme edge, the greater the quantity of particulate matter dispensed for each half turn. Also, the narrower the butterfly member is made, for a particular size outlet opening 18, the greater the quantity of particulate matter dispensed for each half turn. 7

It is to be understood that while the detailed drawings given describe the preferred embodiments of the invention, they are for the purposes of illustration, that the apparatus of the invention is not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed, and that various changes may be made there in without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

lclaim: 1. In a particulate matter dispenser of the type having a container and a discharge means through a wall of the container, an improved discharge means comprising:

a. a portion of said container will provided with an opening therethrough; an outlet closure mounted to said wall portion for reciprocation along a path in the general direction of the discharge flow path and resiliently biased to a position blocking said opening; and c. a discharge assistant comprising a crank member rotatablymounted to said wall portion for rotation about an axis transverse to said discharge flow path and a flap means fixed to and extending generally radially from said crank member, said flap means being fixed in a suitable position and having a sufficient length to be rotatable by said crank into engagement with said outlet closure and to push said outlet closure away from its blocking position; wherein particulate matter may flow from the interior of said container through said opening when said flap means is rotated to displace said outlet closure.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a. said outlet closure is hingedly mounted to said wall portion at an edge of said opening; and b. said discharge assistant comprises a crank member having its rotatable axle portion mounted in the interior of and extending toward a wall of said container and its crank portion mounted at the exterior of said container and extending through the wall into engagement with the axle portion, and said flap means being a butterfly member mounted on said axle portion for engaging said outlet closure. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said wall portion and said outlet closure comprise a unitary body of a flexible, resilient material. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a rib is molded onto the exterior of said outlet closure and said wall portion, said rib extending across said hinged edge of said opening for improving the resilient biasing of said closure.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said closure has inwardly tapered edges and said opening has mating outwardly tapered edges for sealingly seating against the closure edges.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said wall portion of the container comprises a lid for a container body, the container body and said lid having mating, removably engageable, connector portions for removably mounting the lid on the container body, and wherein said crank axle extends through said lid.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a pair of crank axle bearings are molded onto said lid as a unitary part of thereof and positioned on opposite sides of said opening for rotatably receiving said axle portion of the crank and aligning the crank substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said closure.

8., An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said bearings are provided with co-linear longitudinal radial slots having resiliently separable walls, to permit insertion of said crank axle portion into said bearings.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said crank portion is removably attached to said axle portion, and a storage mounting bracket is molded into the interior wall of said lid for detachably retaining said crank portion when it is removed from said axle portion.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a. said lid has a main wall and a peripheral annular flange formed thereon having its connector portion formed in said flange, said flange having an inwardly extending shoulder formed intermediate its edges for spacing the lid wall from the mouth of the container body; and

b. a hole is provided in said flange between said shoulder and said lid wall for receipt of said removable crank portion, said hole having a thin destructible wall molded across it.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a. a rib is molded onto the exterior of said outlet closure and said wall portion, said rib extending across said hinged edge of said opening for improving the resilient biasing of said closure;

b. said closure has inwardly tapered edges and said opening has mating outwardly tapered edges for sealingly seating against the closure edges; and

c. a pair of crank axle bearings are molded onto said lid as a unitary part thereof and positioned on opposite sides of said opening for rotatably receiving said axle portion of the crank and aligning the crank parallel to the axis of rotation of said closure.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said lid, closure, bearings, crank member, and butterfly member are constructed of polypropylene. 

1. In a particulate matter dispenser of the type having a container and a discharge means through a wall of the container, an improved discharge means comprising: a. a portion of said container will provided with an opening therethrough; b. an outlet closure mounted to said wall portion for reciprocation along a path in the general direction of the discharge flow path and resiliently biased to a position blocking said opening; and c. a discharge assistant comprising a crank member rotatably mounted to said wall portion for rotation about an axis transverse to said discharge flow path and a flap means fixed to and extending generally radially from said crank member, said flap means being fixed in a suitable position and having a sufficient length to be rotatable by said crank into engagement with said outlet closure and to push said outlet closure away from its blocking position; wherein particulate matter may flow from the interior of said container through said opening when said flap means is rotated to displace said outlet closure.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a. said outlet closure is hingedly mounted to said wall portion at an edge of said opening; and b. said discharge assistant comprises a crank member having its rotatable axle portion mounted in the interior of and extending toward a wall of said container and its crank portion mounted at the exterior of said container and extending through the wall into engagement with the axle portion, and said flap means being a butterfly member mounted on said axle portion for engaging said outlet closure.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said wall portion and said outlet closure comprise a unitary body of a flexible, resilient material.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a rib is molded onto the exterior of said outlet closure and said wall portion, said rib extending across said hinged edge of said opening for improving the resilient biasing of said closure.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said closure has inwardly tapered edges and said opening has mating outwardly tapered edges for sealingly seating against the closure edges.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said wall portion of the container comprises a lid for a container body, the container body and said lid having mating, removably engageable, connector portions for removably mounting the lid on the container body, and wherein said crank axle extends through said lid.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a pair of crank axle bearings are molded onto said lid as a unitary part of thereof and positioned on opposite sides of said opening for rotatably receiving said axle portion of the crank and aligning the crank substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said closure.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said bearings are provided with co-linear longitudinal radial slots having resiliently separable walls, to permit insertion of said crank axle portion into said bearings.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said crank portion is removably attached to said axle portion, and a storage mounting bracket is molded into the interior wall of said lid for detachably retaining said crank portion when it is removed from said axle portion.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a. said lid has a main wall and a peripheral annular flange formed thereon having its connector portion formed in said flange, said flange having an inwardly extending shoulder formed intermediate its edges for spacing the lid wall from the mouth of the container body; and b. a hole is provided in said flange between said shoulder and said lid wall for receipt of said removable crank portion, said hole having a thin destructible wall molded across it.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a. a rib is molded onto the exterior of said outlet closure and said wall portion, said rib extending across said hinged edge of said opening for improving the resilient biasing of said closure; b. said closure has inwardly tapered edges and said opening has mating outwardly tapered edges for sealingly seating against the closure edges; and c. a pair of crank axle bearings are molded onto said lid as a unitary part thereof and positioned on opposite sides of said opening for rotatably receiving said axle portion of the crank and aligning the crank parallel to the axis of rotation of said closure.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said lid, closure, bearings, crank member, and butterfly member are constructed of polypropylene. 